Foot-pedal structure



' 1,595,695 W. H. THOMAS FOOT PEDAL STRUCTURE Aug. 10 1926.

Filed May 24, 1926 iyfim/ WWW/w Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER H. THOMAS, OF SPENCER, IOWA FOOT-PEDAL STRUCTURE.

Application filed Kay 24, 1926. Serial 1T0. 111,237.

My invention has to do with a foot pedal structure of simple, durable and comparati vely inexpensive construction intended particularly as part of a foot accelerator assembly for motor vehicles.

It is further the object of my invention to provide such a foot pedal structure so constructed and arranged that it may be assembled with as little disturbance of the parts of the car as possible,

Another object is to provide such a foot pedal having novel features of construction for making it adaptable for assembly with an accelerator operating means in such manner that the accelerator operating means such as a rod and the foot pedal need not be tied or fastened together in any way and yet may co-operate in the actuating of the accelerator.

Another object 'is to provide in a foot pedal of the kind mentioned, a bracket and a foot pedal proper constructed to conveniently co-operate with the bracket and to make such bracket and foot pedal by such a method of construction as to permit their ready operative connection or separation.

Still another purpose of my invention is i to provide such a bracket and foot pedal and connect them with a spring in such manner as to hold them against accidental separation and also to press the foot pedal yield ingly against the accelerator operating member.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my foot pedal structure, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed outin my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my foot pedal installed on a floor board.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the foot pedal and floor board showing the assembly in connection with an accelerator operating rod.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor board with a carpet thereon illustrating the upwardly projecting parts of the bracket for the foot pedaland Figure i is a perspective view of the bracket.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the fioor board of an automobile, preferably the inclined portion thereof.

On the floor board is the carpet or mat 11. It is well known that a large number of automobiles now use a foot accelerator for controllin the feed of the fuel to the carburetor. any of these accelerators have some members suchas'a' rod 12 which projects through the floor board as for instance, through the opening 13 shown in the floor board 10.

T have shown the foot accelerator control rod 12 in the present instance, projecting through a hole in the mat or carpet 11. The mat 1-1 is provided with a mat hinder or the like 14% having a central opening 15 to receive the rod 12.

My improved foot pedal structure includes a bracket comprising preferably a flat base member 16 having spaced opposite upwardly extending cars 17. In the forward edges of the cars 17 are the bayonet slots 18, the open ends of which are their upper ends as shown.

At the center of the base 16 is an up wardly extending lug 19 provided with a hole or the like 20. My improved foot pedal proper indicated generally by the reference character A, comprises a flat plate portion 21 having a peripheral downwardly extend ing flange 22 at the rear portion of the plate 21.

' The plate is provided with a raised part 23 to rest under the instep of the user. The flanges 22 at the side of the foot pedal A are formed with downward extensions or cars 24 spaced forwardly from the rear end of the pedal 2. short distance as shown for instance in Figure 2 and connected by a cross rod or the like 25.

On the upper forward part of the foot .pedal is a rubber cushion or the like 26,

having imbedded therein a metal member or members 27 provided with ears 28 projecting through the plate 21 and fastened thereto.

The under side of the plate 21 is provided with a hoop or loop or the like 28 s aced forwardb from the raised part 23 as s own in Figure. 2. ,4

One end: of the coil spring 29 is fastened to the loop 28 and the other end is provided with a hook 30. I will now describe the process of installing the assembly of my improved foot pedal and the operation and some of the advantages thereof.

Assuming that the automobile is equipped with a foot accelerator having the foot accelerator rod 12, the mat or carpet 11 is lifted and the bracket shown in Figure 4 is fastened to the floor board 10 at the appropriate distance from the rod 12, by means of screw bolts 31 and nuts 32.

Slots 33 and 34 are cut in the mat l1 which is also provided with a binder ring 14. After the bracket has been installed on the floor board, the carpet is dropped in place with the ears 1? and the lug 19 projecting throu hthe slots 33 and 34;.

The shape and arrangement of the foot pedal proper A, are such that the in or rod 25 may be slipped into the mout s 18 of the bayonet slots 18 and then dropped downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, whereupon the undersurface of the forward end of the pedal A will rest on the upper end of the rod 12.

The hook 30 is inserted through the hole 20 in the lug 19. Thereupon the tension of the spring 29 will tend to pull the pedal downwardly for holding the rod 25 in the bottom of the slots 18 and for pulling the forward end of the foot pedal downwardly against the upper end of the rod 12. Thus provision is made against the accidental dlsconnection or disassembly of the foot pedal A and the bracket.

In the actual use of my improved foot pedal, it will seem that when the foot is placed upon the pedal and tilted forwardly and downwardly, the. forward end of the edal will engage the rod 12 and move it ongitudinally, downwardly and forwardly exerting a pushing movement thereagainst.

Such movement, of course, permits the upper end of the rod 12 to slide against the underside of the foot pedal which is necessary due to the pivotal mounting of the foot pedal.

The higher the rod 12 projects through the floor board the closer its end is to the pivot of the pedal and as the rod is moved towards the support or floor board the further away its end is from such pivot.

The rod 12 being mounted for sliding movement, while the foot pedal is pivoted, requires a certain amount of slippage or free sliding movement of the end of the rod 12 relative to the foot pedal. It will be noted that my foot pedal simply rests upon the upper end of the rod 12.

It will, of course, be understood that the rod 12 is connected in any suitable way with the carburetor control mechanism and some means will automatically be provided whereby such rods are ordinarilyheld by a spring at their upper rearward limits of movement.

I have not shown all ofthe foot accelerator structure, since the portions not shown form no part of the present invention and are well known and typical forms.

My foot pedal is particularly intended to be used in connection with a. foot accelerator put out by the Thomas Manufacturing Compan T e spring actuated rod 12 will push the pedal back to normal position when pressure on the pedal is released.

A foot pedal of this kind has a number of important advantages. There is a considerable demand for a foot accelerator of the type employing a hinged pedal. The

hinged pedal gives you the foot rest and facilitates more accurate and of the fuel feed.

These pivoted foot pedals however, give rise to a number of difiicultles. It will be seen that when the foot pedal is pivoted at one end, then the other end has a pivotal connection with the rod 12.

The actuation of such a foot pedal will tend to cause the rod 12 to bind in the floor board because of the fact that when the foot pedal is tilted the end thereof connected with the rod 12 does not move in the line of the axis of the rod 12. but moves on the are of the circle having its center'in the hinge line of the pedal.

It is, therefore, desirable that some mode of connection between the foot pedal and the rod 12 may be provided which will not require their being pivoted together and which will permit the foot pedal to slide somewhat on the rod 12. d

I accomplished this desirable result by easier control pivoting my foot pedal on-one end and let--- ting it slide on the rod 12 at the other end by making the under surface of the plate 21 smooth and the foot pedal will slide free on the rod 12, resulting in a minimum tendency on the part of the rod 12 to bind on the foot board.

At the same time the sprin 29 helps to hold the forward portion of the foot pedal lifting up the rear end of the footpedalfor moving the rod 25 out of the slots 18.

The'hook 30 can thenbe quickly removed from the hole 20 whereupon the carpet may be raised and taken out if desired.

Another advantage in a device of this kind rises from the fact that thefoot pedal and the rod 12 are not in any way fastened together and that in a structure of this kind the floor board can be readily and easilyv lifted out without the necessity of disconnecting the foot pedal from the rod 12.

Still another advantage in the particular little less time than would be possible if the foot edal and rod 12 were actually pivoted toget er.

Still another advantage arises fromthe fact that the foot pedal and-rod 12 are not pivoted or otherwise connected and lies in the possibility of arranging the foot pedal at difierent angles, with a relation to the longitudinal axis of the car.

Thus instead of arranging the footpedal fore and aft it may be arranged at a slight angle if it is more convenient to the driver.

it is obvious that my device is very easy to install and assemble or to disassemble and remove. It does not interfere at all with taking out the floor board.

ihe foot pedal can easily be removed from the bracket for taking out the carpet and mat. My foot pedal can be installed without cutting any large holes in the mat. in fact I have shown in Figure 3 one of the devices installed where the holes in the mat can hardly be seen and the lower part of the base 16 of the bracket is covered by the mat. it will be noted that with my foot pedal the operators foot is placed in such position thereupon that regardless or" the length of driving, the root will not become tired and this is because of the positioning of the foot pedal and the arrangement of its parts. The raised part 23 projects in under the instep of the driver so that the foot or ball portion of the foot rests upon the forward part of the foot pedal with the pivot point of the foot pedal under the instep of the driver.

The heel of the driver rests upon the floor board and the rest of the drivers foot is supported by the foot pedal.

Attention is called to the fact that the raised part 23 of the plate 21 will in actual ractice rest under the instep of the driver in such a way as to aflord a rest or support for the foot between the floor where the heel rests and the forward part of the foot pedal so that the root may be rested and supported if desired without imposing downward pressure on the foot or heel.

This result is accomplished by raising the part 23 far enough back from the rod 25.

Some changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the various parts of my'invention, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

1 claim as my invention 1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a movable member such as a foot accelerator rod with a bracket rigidly supported and having spaced slots therein with one of their ends'open, the open ends being 1n a plane above the closed ends, and

a foot pedal having a. portion received in said slots whereby said foot pedal is detachabliy pivoted on said bracket and having one en resting upon said member and in slidable engagement therewith; I

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a movable member such as a foot accelerator rod with a bracket rigidly supported and having spaced slots therein with one of their ends open, the open ends being in a plane above the closed ends, and a foot pedal having a portion received in said slots whereby said foot pedal is detachably pivoted on said bracket and having one end resting upon said member and in slidable engagement therewith and means for yieldingly holding the foot pedal in position assembled upon the bracket.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a movable member such as a foot accelerator rod with a bracket rigidly supported and a foot pedal detachably pivoted on said bracket and having one end resting upon said member and means for yieldingly holding said foot pedal in position assembled upon the bracket.

4:. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a movable member such as a foot accelerator rod with a bracket rigidly supported and a foot pedal detachably pivoted on said bracket and having one end resting upon said member and means for yieldingly holding the foot pedal in engagement with said member and for yieldingly holding the foot pedal in assembled relation with the bracket.

5. In a structure of the class described in combination with a movable foot accelerator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrough, a bracket on said support spaced from the rod having a pair of slots therein opening toward the rod, a foot pedal having a pivot rod secured thereto adapted to be received in said slots for detachably mounting the foot pedal upon said bracket, a spring for holding the pivot rod in the closed end of said slots, the forward part of said foot pedal resting upon the end of said movable rod whereby pivotal movement of the foot pedal in one direction will impart a pushing movement against Ill) the movable rod causing it to move and allowing its upper end to slide longitudinally against the underside ofthe foot pedal.

6. In a structure of the class described in combination with a movable foot accelerator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrough, a bracket on said support spaced from the rod having a pair of slots therein opening toward the rod, a foot pedal having a portion adapted to be received in said slots for detachably and pivotally mounting the footpedal upon said bracket and a spring for holding said portion in the closed end of said slots.

7. In a structure of the class described in combination with a movable foot accelerator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrough, a bracket on said' support spaced from the rod having a air of slots therein openin toward the rod, a foot pedal having a p1vot rod secured thereto adapted to be received in said slots for detachably mounting the foot pedal upon said bracket, a spring for bolding the pivot rod in the closed end of said slots, the forward part of said foot pedal resting u on the end of said movable rod whereby pivotal movement of the foot pedal in one direction will impart a pushing movement against the movable rod causing it to move and allowing its upper end to slide longitudinally against the underside of the foot pedal, said spring also serving to yieldingly hold the forward part of the foot pedal in engagement with said movable rod.

8. In a structure of the class described, a support, a bracket mounted thereon having ears provided with bayonet slots. a foot pedal having a cross rod received in said slots and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the rod in the slots.

9,. In a structure of the class described, a support, a bracket mounted thereon hav-- ing ears provided with bayonet slots, a foot pedal having a cross rod received in said slots and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the rod in the slots, means for yieldingly holding the said rod in said slots.

10. In a structure of the class described, a support, a bracket mounted thereon having ears provided with bayonet slots, a foot pedal having a cross rod received in said slots and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the rod in the slots and a spring connected with said pedal and with said bracket for yieldingly holding the rod 5 in the bottom of the slots and for yieldingly swinging the rod toward the support.

11. In a structure of the class described, a support, a bracket mounted thereon having ears provided with bayonet slots, a foot pedal having a cross rod received in said slots and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the rod in the slots, said pedal having a raised portion overhanging said brackets.

12. In a structure of the class described n combination with a movable foot accel erator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrough, a bracket on sa d support spaced from the rod having a pair of slots therein opening toward the rod,'a foot pedal having a portion adapted to be received in said slots for detachably and pivotally mounting the foot pedal upon sa1d bra cket and a spring for holding said portlonin the closed end of said slots, the iorward part of said foot pedal resting upon the end of said movable rod whereby p votal movement of the foot pedal'in one directlon will impart a pushing movement against the mova le rod causing it to move and allowlng its upper end to slide longitudlnally against the underside of the foot pedal.

13. In a structure of the class described 1n comblnatlon with a movable foot accelerator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrou h, a bracket on said support spaced from the rod having a pair of slots therein opening through one side of the bracket and having their open ends in a plane above the closed ends, a foot pedal having a portion adapted to be received in said slots for detachably and pivotally mounting the foot pedal upon said bracket and a spring for holding said portion in the closed end of said slots, the for- Ward part of said foot pedal resting upon the end of said movable rod whereby pivotal movement of the foot pedal in one direction will impart a pushing movement against the movable rod causing it to move and allowing its upper end to slide longitudlirially against the underside of the foot pe a I 14. In a structure of the class described 1n combination with a movable foot accelerator rod, a support having one portion of the rod projected therethrough, a bracket on said support spaced from the rod having a pair of slots therein opening through one side of the bracket and having their open ends in a i plane above the closed ends, a foot pedal having a pivot rod secured thereto adapted to be received in said slots-for detachably mounting the foot pedal upon said bracket, a spring for holding the pivot rod in' the closed end of said slots, the forward part of said foot pedal resting upon the end of said movable rod whereby pivotal movement of the foot pedal in one direction will impart a pushing movement against the movable rod causing it to move and allowing its upper end to slide longitutinally against the underside of the foot e a1. P Des Moines, Iowa, May 11, 1926.

WALTER H. THOMAS. 

